Lewis Hamilton 16th in Saudi Arabian GP qualifying in major shock after Q1 KO as Sergio Perez grabs first-ever pole

LEWIS HAMILTON will begin tomorrow’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in P16 after being eliminated in Q1 during today’s qualifying – with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez going on to grab pole.

However qualifying was overshadowed by a terrifying crash that saw Mick Schumacher taken to hospital.

Brit superstar Hamilton struggled to get to grips with the circuit in his new car, despite having won in Jeddah back in December.

Hamilton’s shock Q1 exit was his first since Brazil 2017, and his first without a crash since 2009.

The 37-year-old found himself in 16th after his second lap, being forced to squeeze in a third attempt with just three minutes remaining.

He went across the line in 15th, but was beaten to the final place in Q2 by Lance Stroll just moments later.

After the result was communicated to him over the radio by his team, Hamilton said: “Sorry guys.”

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Responding to the shock result, Sky pundit Jenson Button admitted he was “Speechless”.

Hamilton’s Silver Arrows team-mate George Russell posted the fourth best time in Q1, comfortably getting into Q2.

Speaking to Natalie Pinkham after his shock Q1 exit, a flat Hamilton said: “Just struggled with the balance of the car… not where we want to be.”

Quizzed if yesterday’s terror attack had impacted his result, he added: “No. No. We’re professionals”

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Eliminated in Q1 alongside Hamilton were Alex Albon, Nico Hulkenberg, Yuki Tsunoda and Nicholas Latifi.

The session had been interrupted by an early red flag, after Latifi crashed on turn 13 at 106mph.

The Canadian thankfully confirmed that he was “all fine” while speaking to Sky after the incident.

Tsunoda, meanwhile, also finished without a time after issues with his AlphaTauri.

Q2 was marred by a horrible incident with five minutes remaining, with Haas driver Mick Schumacher involved in a jarring 170mph crash into the concrete barriers – drawing another red flag.

Schumacher, 23, required lengthy treatment – with an ambulance called to the scene.

After thankfully being able to speak to medics and remove his gloves himself, the German, who had been in P9 at the time of the crash, was eventually stretchered into the ambulance on turn 12.

Following the worrying crash, seven-time world champion Hamilton wished Schumacher well, saying: “I’ve not heard the news, but I hope he’s okay.”

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner confirmed that Schumacher appears fine, but has been airlifted to hospital for precautionary scans.

Q2 resumed with 4:58 remaining on the clock, 55 minutes after Schumacher’s crash.

McLaren’s woes would continue – with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo both eliminated in Q2.

The duo qualified in P11 and P12 respectively, with Zhou Guanyu, Schumacher and Lance Stroll also eliminated at the second stage.

As Q3 progressed, a first Ferrari front row lockout since Mexico 2019 appeared likely – with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in P1 and P2.

But Perez pipped them at the end , producing an inspired final lap to earn his first ever pole position.

The Mexican’s terrific lap pushed Leclerc and Sainz to P2 and P3 respectively – with Max Verstappen only managing P4.

Esteban Ocon will start tomorrow in P5, with his team-mate Fernando Alonso in P7.

Russell grabbed P6 in his Merc, with Valtteri Bottas in P8, Pierre Gasly in P9 and Kevin Magnussen in P10.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk